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El Paso And Southwestern Greenway

The El Paso and Southwestern Greenway will be a 6-mile long multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians. The pathway will extend along a corridor that was once used by the railroad, from north of downtown Tucson, through the City of South Tucson to the Kino Sports Complex. The new path will be car-free and will connect to other regional bikeways and to many of the neighborhoods that the path travels through.

In 2005, a preliminary concept plan for the Greenway was developed by the Drachman Institute at the University of Arizona. This document provided guidance for the master planning process that occurred from 2010 and 2011. Some of the objectives of the plan are to promote connectivity and recreation; coordinate with other active projects to ensure compatibility; reflect local/regional identity and character; celebrate local history; and serve as a catalyst for positive development.

The Greenway is documented in the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, the City of Tucson General Plan, the Downtown Infrastructure Plan, the Regional Transportation Authority's transportation plan, the Eastern Pima County Trails Master Plan and the Parks, Open Space and Trails (PROST) plan and the Regional Bicycle Plan. The project will be built in phases, segment by segment when funding allows. The block at Fire Central, from Cushing to Simpson is already completed. The next segment from Simpson to 22nd Street is partially funded by a Transportation Enhancement Grant and is expected to go to construction in Winter 2017. The segment from 22nd Street to 25th Street will follow after that. A HAWK crossing will be installed at 22nd Street and Osborne Avenue to connect these two segments. To the north, the segment from St. Mary’s Road to Congress Street is currently under design.

Update Feb.2018: The next section of the El Paso and Southwestern Greenway between Simpson Street and 22nd Street is currently requesting final funding authorization from ADOT. The project should be out for bidding in April, 2018 and start of construction in late May or early June 2018.

El Paso Southwestern Greenway – Project Phasing Update 10/13/17

This project has been split into several phases. Each phase will be under a separate design and construction contract. To date there are two areas of the Greenway that have been designed and constructed. The section between Cushing Street and Simpson, and the section behind Hotel Tucson have been completed and are maintained by the City of Tucson Parks and Recreation Department.

The project phasing is identified as small segments of the overall project starting from the north end and moving south. Design and construction do not follow this pattern due to ownership and available funding.

PHASE ONE: Phase one is considered to be north of St. Mary’s and making the connection to University Blvd. This section is still in the planning phase and the final location has not been determined.

PHASE TWO: This phase is the section between St. Mary’s and Congress. As noted above, a portion of this phase has been completed adjacent to Hotel Tucson. The design for this phase is currently 90% complete. There are some additional land acquisitions to be made prior to completing the design. The Congress design cross was not included under this phase. Currently there is not enough funding to complete this section.

PHASE THREE: This phase is the section between Congress and Cushing. The construction of this phase is tied to the development of the land to the east. The land developer will include this section under their contract. There is no current schedule for construction.

PHASE FOUR: This phase is the section between Simpson and 22nd Street. This phase will be federally funded and is ready for construction in 2018. The 22nd Street Crossing is approximately 90% complete, but no funding is available at this time.

PHASE FIVE: This phase is the section between 22nd Street and 25th Street. This section is 100% designed, but is on hold due to safety concerns at 22nd Street and until the 22nd Street crossing is funded.